Tarantula

This pattern is inspired by the Black Widows roller derby team. Otherwise I never would have made it. Every time I looked at it, it gave me the heeby-jeebies. I gave it to a friend, hopefully she’s braver than me.

This pattern uses black 8ply wool and a 4 mm hook. The spider was maybe 10 cm long (although frankly I got it out of the house before I had a chance to measure it). This pattern is written in American crochet notation.

Body

With black wool

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Round 2: increase in every stitch (12 stitches)

Round 3: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 4: sc in each stitch (18 stitches)

Round 5: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 6: sc in each stitch (24 stitches)

Round 7: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)

Rounds 8 – 10: sc in each stitch (30 stitches)

Round 11: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 12: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 13: sc in the first stitch, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (12 stitches)

Round 14: sc in the first stitch, increase in the next stitch – repeat (18 stitches)

Round 15: sc in the first two stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 16: sc in the first three stitches, increase in the next stitch – repeat (30 stitches)

Rounds 17 – 19: sc in each stitch (30 stitches)

Round 20: sc in the first three stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (24 stitches)

Round 21: sc in the first two stitches, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (18 stitches)

Stuff

Round 22: sc in the first stitch, decrease the next two stitches together – repeat (12 stitches)

Round 23: decrease until the hole closes.

Fasten off, weave in end.

Back legs (make two)

With black wool

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Rounds 2 – 11: sc in each stitch (6 stitches)

Round 12: decrease the first and second stitches together, decrease the third and fourth stitches together, increase in the fifth stitch, increase in the sixth stitch (6 stitches)

Rounds 13 – 22: sc in each stitch (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Front legs (make six)

With black wool

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Rounds 2 – 9: sc in each stitch (6 stitches)

Round 10: decrease the first and second stitches together, decrease the third and fourth stitches together, increase in the fifth stitch, increase in the sixth stitch (6 stitches)

Rounds 11 – 18: sc in each stitch (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Fangs (make two)

With black wool

Round 1: 6sc in a magic ring (6 stitches)

Rounds 2 – 3: sc in each stitch (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Sew the fangs to the head and the legs to the body. Embroider on eyes.

Congratulations, you have made a cuddly toy tarantula. I hope you don’t regret that decision as much as I did.